Tribute to people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease to be in full bloom at Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Award-winning landscape designer Mark Browning will present his show garden at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show from 30 March to 3 April, designed as a tribute to his late mother, Audrey Browning who had Alzheimer’s disease.
The garden will be a testament to Mr Browning’s mother, known as Aud, gardening prowess. It is a fusion of mixed and varied plantings and off-beat structural landscape ideas.
“As a gardener Aud rewrote the book on how it is done. Born a Queenslander her ideas on cool climate gardening were nil when she moved to Melbourne in 1959 – she mixed ferns with gardenias, begonias with primulas and rhododendrons with banksias,” Mr Browning said.
“Although my mum died from Alzheimer’s disease and other ailments, the disease never defined her.
“Aud was a competent and enthusiastic gardener, a golf champion in her younger years, and most of all a loving family woman, loyal and warm to everyone around her right up to the time of entering permanent care eight years before passing.
“Aud was and remains my mum – forgive my bias but to this day she continues to be my primary role model in my profession.”
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM said Mr Browning has generously chosen Dementia Australia as his charity of choice for the show garden.
“I thank and acknowledge Mark for selecting Dementia Australia as his charity of choice – funds raised will provide invaluable support services, education and resources for people impacted by dementia Australia-wide,” Ms McCabe said.
“The garden is a beautiful homage and tribute to his late mother and we are very grateful for Mark’s generosity in raising funds and awareness for all people impacted by dementia.”
‘Aud’ will be on display at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show from 30 March-3 April 2022.
To learn more and buy tickets visit melbflowershow.com.au
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated half a million Australians living with dementia, and the almost 1.6 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available and the Helpline is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
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Media contacts: Sarah Richards, Media & Communications Advisor, 0448 341 628, Sarah.Richards@dementia.org.au / Gabrielle Prabhu, Media & Communications Manager, 0447 253 583, Gabrielle.Prabhu@dementia.org.au
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